joint sessions at the next ICOM-CC conference

MMCA is currently thinking about proposing a joint session at the next ICOM-CC conference with the Documentation working group. So much research into contemporary art conservation relies on documentation, so it seems an excellent topic on which we could join forces. The advantages of doing this are to give some real focus to the session, and to tackle a real research need. It would also guarantee an excellent turn out to the session. The disadvantage is that we lose a bit of our "intimacy" and it potentially squeezes out other topics, although there is absolutely no reason why we can't also have a stand alone MMCA session, and just overlap with Documentation for the relevent presentations.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Positive or negative. Or are there suggestions for other potential joint sessions? The alternative setting would be to aim for a joint Interim meeting w Documentation WG next triennial (ie 2011-2014), along the lines of what we are doing during this triennial with our joint Interim meeting with the Training & Education working group to discuss the emerging needs of training in contemporary art conservation (in Maastricht June 2010)

One of the strengths of the ICOM-CC is that it already has 21 or so focus groups and hence for my practice, for example, our work becomes relevant to a number of groups depending on whether it is a modern mural, piece of stone or a preventive solution. To weave this more tightly by linking groups or themes requires those wishing to present a modern material issue not also a documentation issue to wait 6 years or perhaps even longer if the next triennial also nominates another tag team theme. I guess what I am saying is that the more hoops you throw into the Venn diagram the more exclusive it becomes, exclusive in the sense that fewer papers fit the group, or several groups depending on the choice of focus. On the other hand the current 5 group joint symposium unfolding for Rome in March has nominated a theme that does not normally draw great support within the framework of any particular group. This seems to work and so Tom I would go for the interim meeting as a really good way to focus attention on an issue or angle and still not make the hardcore MMAs and Ds wait six years for their mainstream shot.